Machine for feeding, counting, and packaging articles



MACHINE FOR FEEDING, COUNTING, AND PACKAGING ARTICLES Filed June 5, 19359 Sheets-Sheet 1 29%,W/ zy 'W June 11, 1940. F. E. DOMKE 2,204,125

MACHINE FOR FEEDING, COUNTING, AND PACKAGING ARTICLES June 11, 1940.DQMKE MACHINE FOR FEEDING, COUNTING, AND PACKAGING ARTICLES Filed June5, 1935 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 gaw kw l June 11, 1940. DQMKE 2,204,126

MACHINE FOR FEEDING, COUNTING, AND PACKAGING ARTICLES Filed June 5, 19359 Sheets-Sheet 4 56 [II L507 F. E. DOMKE June 11, 1940.

MACHINE FOR FEEDING, COUNTING, AND PACKAGING ARTICLES 9 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed June 5, 1935 EEEEEBEEEW \7 lsk June 11, 1940. F, E, QMKE 2,204,126

MACHINE FOR FEEDING, COUNTING, AND PACKAGING ARTICLES Filed Jun 5, 19559 Sheets-Sheet 6 M 291 June 11, 1940. DOMKE 2,204,126

MACHINE FOR FEEDING, COUNTING, AND PACKAGINQARTICLES 7/9 Mar June 11,1940.

F. E. DOMKE 2,204,126

MACHINE FOR FEEDING, COUNTING, AND PACKAGING ARTICLES Filed June 5, 19359 Sheets-Sheet 8 /Z. O fifl /il M6 1 L/ T T T A 75 June 11, 1940. F. E.DO-MKE 2,204,126

MACHINE FOR FEEDING, COUNTING, AND PACKAGING ARTICLES Filed June 5. 19359 Sheets-Sheet 9 Patented June 11, 1940 UNITED STATES MACHINE FORFEEDING, COUNTING, AND PACKAGING ARTICLES Fred E. Domke, Chicago, Ill.,assignor to W. H.

Hutchinson & Son, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of IllinoisApplication June 5, 1935, Serial No. 25,052

14 Claims.

My invention relates to a machine for feeding, counting, and packagingarticles and more particularly to a machine for accomplishing theseoperations with respect to closure devices, such as, for example, bottlecaps and crowns, which are customarily packed in lots containingpredetermined amounts.

Owing to the rapidity of manufacture of articles of this character andthe fact that they are bought and sold on a number, as distinguishedfrom a weight, basis, it is important that the number in any lotshipment be accurately deter mined. Counting by hand is slow, laboriousand expensive, while a weight comparison of one filled receptacle withanother containing a known quantity of articles is inaccurate andunsatisfactory. Both of these methods have been commonly employed in thepast in the packaging of such articles, as well as certain countingmechanisms which, however, were characterized by cer tain inaccuraciesin the feed and by a tendency to damage the articles.

Closure devices of the foregoing character are usually manufactured witha desired finish. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance that thedevices be handled previous to packaging in such a manner as to avoidany possibility of the closures becoming deformed or defaced, since theformer defects might lessen the possibility of securing a satisfactoryand permanent seal, While the latter would injure the finish.

It is, therefore, one object of my invention to provide a machine whichis adapted for the rapid and accurate feeding, counting, and packagingof closure articles without damage of the finish surface thereof andwithout deformation of the same.

A further object is to provide an improved mechanism for arranging anddelivering the closures in orderly succession to a counting mechanism,the arrangement being such that each closure is positioned similarly toall other closures and the closures are given a positive feed movementindependently of each other.

A further object is to provide a machine which incorporates adistributing mechanism for arranging the closures in an orderly mannerand a feeding mechanism for precisely presenting the closures soarranged in succession to a counting mechanism, the three mechanismsbeing associated together for the automatic and continuous handling of asupply of closures which are constantly or intermittently fed to thedistributing mechanism.

A further object is to provide a machine of the character indicatedwhich is additionally provided with a shaker mechanism for rocking orotherwise agitating the packaging receptacle to more closely pack theclosures, the shaker mechanism being controlled by the countingmechanism and operable at determined times during the filling of thereceptacle.

A further object is to provide the aforesaid machine with a hopper intowhich the closures are delivered during the interval of substituting onereceptacle for another, the hopper being thereafter automatically dumpedby a device controlled by the counting mechanism.

A further object is to devise a machine having a distributor mechanismin which the closures are delivered in an indiscriminate mass and fromwhich the closures proceed in an orderly succession of the individualclosures which are correctly positioned for subsequent presentation to acounting mechanism, and further in which the closures are so handled asto obviate any damage thereto, either by way of deformation or surfacemarring.

A further object is to provide in a machine of the class indicated adistributing mechanism wherein the closures are carried bodily to thedelivery opening thereof and which incorporates a self-cleaning featurefor removing dust, cork particles and foreign material and also aprovision for cooling or ventilating the mechanism and closures that isuseful in instances where the closures are delivered in a heatedcondition to the mechanism.

A further object is to provide a counting mechanism which is associatedwith and determines the operation of electrically controlled devicesthat effect the shaking of the receptacle being filled and which furtherinsures the counted collection of the closures while the receptacle isbeing replaced, the arrangement being such that the devices operate intimed relation to each other and with respect to predeterminedquantities of closures.

Additional objects are to provide signal means electrically controlledby the counting mechanism in timed relation to the interruption of feedto the packaging receptacle for the purpose of warning the operator ofthe machine that a predeter mined number of closures has been fed to thereceptacle and thus enabling the operator to substitute an empty for afilled receptacle during the feed interruption; to provide improvedconveyor means yieldably engaging the opposite sides of the closures andbodily carrying the same without relative movement; to provide means foridentically positioning each closure at the moment of feed to thecounting mechanism; to provide a closure feeding arrangement wherebyclogging of the closures is avoided so that the feeding and packaging ofthe closures proceeds in a continuous and uniform manner, regardless ofthe speed with which the closures are fed; and to provide mechanism foraccomplishing all of the foregoing objects in a highly efiicient manner.

These and further objects of my invention will be set forth in thefollowing specification, referonce being had to the accompanyingdrawings, and the novel means by which said objects are eiiectuated willbe definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of a machine embodying myinvention.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the machine, looking in he direction of thearrow 2 in Fig. l, and showing a. portion of the conveyor for deliveringthe closures to the distributing mechanism.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section along the line 3-3 in 2, looking in thedirection or" the arrows. the view being enlarged and showing the drivefor the distributing mechanism.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, sectional elevation of the distributingmechanism, as viewed along the line in Fig. 5, locking in the directionof the arrows, showing the manner in which the clo sures are dischargedsingly through the side thereof.

Fig. 5 is a section along the line 5 5 in Fig. 4., looking in thedirection of the arrows, and showing the relation of the discharge chuteto the toothed carrier flange oi the distributor.

Fig. 6 is a section along the line 6-5 in Fig. 4., looking in thedirection or" the arrows, and show ing the guard which prevents movementof any closures through the discharge opening except those resting onthe carrier flange of the dis-- tributor.

Fig. 7 sectional View along the line l-? in 5, looking in the directionof the arrows, and illustrating a detail of distributor adjacent thedischarge opening thereof.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation, looking in the direction of the arrow 5 inFig. 4., showing the hinged relation of the discharge chute to thefeeding mechanism which presents the closures to the counting mechanism,the discharge chute being here c -own in elevation and the feeding mechanism being shown in longitudinal section.

Fig. 9 is a section along the line 9'-? in Fig. 8, looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged plan view of the feeding mechanism as viewed inFig. 2.

Fig. 11 is a section along the line H-H in Fig, 10, looking in thedirection of the arrows and showing the manner in which the closures areyieldably gripped by the feeding mechanism.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged elevation of the counting mechanism, as viewed in1, the cover plate of the casing which encloses the mechanism beingremoved to show the relation of the gear train and the relation of thedisks which play a part in the automatic control of certain devices.

Fig. 13 is an elevation, partly in section, of the gear trainillustrated in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged, sectional elevation of the counting mechanismtaken along the line l i l4 in Fig. 12, looking in the direction of thearrows.

Fig. 15 is a section taken along the line 5l5 in Fig. 14, looking in thedirection of the arrows, and showing the mounting of the controllingdisks on their associated hub.

Fig. 16 isan enlarged. section taken along the line !iii5 in Fig. 13,looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing a detail relating tothe support of certain portions of the gear train of the countingmechanism.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged elevation of the controlling disks of thecounting mechanism and their associated electrical contacts, as viewedin Fig. 12, and showing the warning signal which is included in theelectrical circuit which controls the operation of the hopper.

Figs. 18 and 19 are elevations showing successive positions of theelectrical contacts and their relation to the associated controllingdisks which effect the operation of a hopper into which the closures aredischarged by the counting mechanism.

Fig. 20 is a. plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1'7 looking inthe direction of the arrows 2il in said figure.

Fig. 21 is an enlarged sectional elevation showing the relation of thedelivery and of the iceding mechanism, the star wheel forming a part oithe counting mechanism, and the hopper into which the closures aredischarged by the counting mechanism.

Fig. 22 is asection along the line 22-22 in Fig. 21, looking in thedirection of the arrows. and showing the arrangement for insuring thecorrect positioning of the closures to the star wheel.

The specific embodiment or" my invention, as set forth in the presentapplication. relates to machine for the counting and packaging of bottlecaps or crowns. It will be understood, however, that although thespecific disclosure of my invention is particularly adapted for handlingbottle caps, the broader phases of the invention are likewise applicableto articles in general, inclusive of screw caps and the like, which itis" desired to handle under comparable conditions.

Generally speaking, in the structure illustrated, the caps areindiscriminately led to a distrilniting mechanism which arranges thecaps in an orderly succession of the individual caps that are presentedto a counting mechanism. and then loosely discharged into receptacle,provision being made for shaking this receptacle at definite times inorder to more closely pack the caps, and to stop the flow of caps, aswell as to give a warning thereof to the operator, when the receptaclehas been filled with a predetermined number of caps.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, the numeral l 0 designates anendless conveyor of any suitable construction which at one end islocated adjacent a corking machine (not shown) for receiving therefromthe individual caps that have had applied thereto the customary corksealing disks. These caps which are then in a rather hot condition aredelivered by the conveyor 10 to a dis tributor mechanism H (see Fig. 3),which is supported on a table l2.

The distributing mechanism comprises an open top drum l3 (see Fig. 4.)which is provided with. an upstanding. annular wall I4 and a skeleton oropen framework bottom i5 that is supporter in spaced relation to the topof the table 12 by legs IS. A distributor I! is rotatably mounted withinthe drum i3 and it is provided with dome-shaped top wall ii! thatpreferably extends above the upper edge of the drum wall #4 and which isalso preferably highly polished in order that it will not mar or scratchthe ca as that are dumped thereon by the conveyor 50.

A depending, annular wall i9 extends downwardly from the top IS inconcentric relation to the drum wall I 4 and spaced therefrom a distanceslightly greater than the width of a bottle cap so that the cap will besupported in a vertical plane by a toothed flange 20 which projectsoutwardly from the lower end of the wall i9 into slightly spacedrelation to the inner periphery of the drum wall M, the latter spacingbeing such as to just provide working clearance.

Thedistributor |l is supported by means of a sleeve 2| that is locatedcentrally thereof and whose lower end bears against the upper edge faceof a bearing 22 that is supported on the top of the table HE. A shaft 23is journaled in the bearing 22 and its upper end extends through thesleeve 2| for aflixation thereto by a pin 24. The lower end of the shaftextends down below the top of the table l2 and has secured thereto abevel gear 25 which meshes with a bevel gear 26 that is secured to ashaft 21. The shaft 21 is journaled in a pair of hanger bearings 28 thatdepend from the top of the. table I2 and the shaft extends beyond thetable for securement to a driving pulley 29 that may be connected to anysuitable source of power.

At a convenient location, a slot 30 (see Fig. 5) is cut in the drum wallM in such a manner that the opposite, parallel faces thereof aresubstantially tangentially disposed to the inner and outer peripheralsurfaces of the drum wall I4 and the distributor wall I9, respectively.One end of a delivery chute 3| is located adjacent the outer end of theslot 30 and this chute is provided with a guide plate 32 that extendsacross the annular space between the drum and distributor walls. Theinner edge of this guide plate may be. ap" propriately beveled in orderto place the same in almost touching relation to the peripheral surfaceof the distributor wall I9, so that this guide plate will exercise apeeling action on the caps as they are successively brought adjacent theguide plate, thereby directing the caps gently and without any danger ofdeformation into the chute 3|.

Because of the circular construction of the drum and distributor, itwill be noted in Fig. 5 that, in the region of the delivery slot 30, thetoothed flange 2!) moves away from the left wall of the slot 30 in itsrotation and the opening that would otherwise be formed is closed by afiller block 33 having in plan view the marginal outline of aright-angled triangle, the base. of which fits against the entering endof the chute 3| to provide a smooth and continuous surface over whichthe caps may pass.

As noted in Fig. 3, the caps are delivered indiscriminately on the upperwall of the distributor and thereafter slide by gravity into the annularspace between the drum wall and distributor wall. In order to preventthe direct movement of any of the freshly delivered caps through thedelivery slot 30, a guard plate 34 having substantially the marginaloutline shown in plan view in Fig. 6 extends inwardly under the top wallof the slot 33, as clearly indicated in Fig. 4, and sufliciently acrossthe annular space between the drum and distributor walls to prevent themovement of any caps into the delivery chute 3!, except those restingdirectly on the toothed flange. The plate 34 has an ear part 35 which isaffixed to the outer surface of the drum wall (see Fig. l). The deliverychute 3| inclines downwardly toward the top of the table l2 and in oneor both of the opposite sides thereof may be provided sight openings 35through which the movement of the caps can be observed.

The lower end of the chute 3| terminates in delivery relation to one endof a feeding mechanism designated generically by the numeral 31 (seeFig. 8), which will nowbe described.

A pair of brackets 38 (see Figs. 3 and 8) are secured to the undersideof the top of the table I2 and pivoted thereto, as by the pins 39, is abracket 40 which is bolted to the underside of one end of a bedplate 4|that supports the feeding mechanism. A pair of spaced hangers 42 dependfrom the bracket 40 and journaled in the lower ends thereof is a shaft43. A sprocket 44 is secured to the shaft 43 and operating over thissprocket is a chain 45 which also engages with a sprocket 46 fixed tothe driving shaft 21 and the same chain also passes around an adjustableidler sprocket 41 which is secured to a shaft 48 that is adjustablymounted in a slot 49 provided in a strut 50 (see Fig. 1) that is bridgedbetween a pair of the legs of the table I2. The shaft 43 is accordinglydriven. by the main drive shaft 21 and the adjustment of the chain 45may be effected from time to time by suitably positioning the sprocket41.

A bevel gear 5| is fixed to the shaft 43 and meshes with a bevel gear 52that is pinned to the lower end of a shaft 53 that extends upwardlythrough the bedplate 4| and has affixed thereto a pulley 54. A spur gear55 is also pinned to the shaft 53 above the bevel gear 52 and it mesheswith a spur gear 56 that is secured to the lower end of a shaft 5'! thatprojects upwardly through the bedplate 4| for affixation to a pulley 58.

Each of the pulleys is provided on its periphery with a channel-shapedgroove 59 and operating in this groove on the pulley 54 is an endlessbelt Ell, while a similar belt 6| operates on the pulley 58. Byreferring to Figs. 8 and 9, it will be apparent that the delivery end ofthe chute 3| delivers the caps successively into engaging relation withthe innermost or cooperating portions of the belts 60 and BI (see. Fig.9), and to facilitate this movement, each side wall of the chute isextended as at 62, while the top wall of the chute is extended and bentabove the pulleys, as indicated by the numeral 63 in Fig. 8.

The bedplate 4| is supported by a pair of stand ards 64 whose upper endsare connected to the bedplate by a suitable pivotal connection and whoselower ends have a slot and bolt connection, designated by the numerals65 and 66, respectively, (see Fig. 1) with a pair of standards 61 thatrest on the floor. The purpose of these standards and the pivotalconnection between the table l2 and bedplate 4| is to accommodate themachine to different heights of receptacles, as hereinafter described.

Referring to Figs. 2, l0 and 22, the belt 60 also operates over a pulley68 which is journaled upon a bearing pin 69 mounted in the bedplate 4|,while the belt 6| operates over a similar pulley "m that is journaled ina bearing pin 1| also mounted in the bedplate. The pulleys 68 and 1Bbear the same position relationship as do the pulleys 54 and 58,respectively, and the former pair is located a sufiicient distance fromthe latter pair so that the caps may be correctly presented to thecounting mechanism, as hereinafter described by the cooperating orworkgripping portions of the endless belts, designated by the numerals'12 and 13 in Fig. 11, respectively.

In order to insure that the last noted belt portions will suitably gripthe particular cap throughout its travel therebetween and to accomplishthis result without damaging or marring the caps in any manner, certainguiding and yieldable devices are employed and these will now bedescribed.

A pair of spaced uprights 14 are fixedly mounted in and extend upwardlyfrom the bedplate 4I between the pulleys 54 and 68 and threaded in eachupright is a stud I5 whose axis is parallel to the upper surface of thebedplate and whose endwise position relative to the supports 74 may beadjusted and the adjustment held by lock nuts 76. A back plate "I? iscarried on the ends of the studs 15 nearest the belt portion 72 and inlength it extends from the pulley 54 to the pulley 53. Formed with theback plate "I1 is a top plate "I8 that extends over the belt portions 72and "I3 for almost the full length of the back plate and this top plateserves to prevent the upward movement of any cap and it is also providedwith a series of perforations 19 through which the passage of the capsmay be observed.

A similar pair of uprights o9 is mounted on the bedplate 4| between thepulleys 58 and I0 and preferably opposite to the uprights I4. A pin 8Iis slidably mounted in each upright and on the ends of these pinsadjacent the belt portion 1 3 is carried a presser bar 82 and betweenthis bar and each upright 80 a coil spring 83 encircles the pin 8i, thustending to move the presser bar 8?. into contact with the adjacent beltportion ?3. This movement obviously moves the belt portion "I2 againstthe back plate TI so that the cooperating belt portions apply a yieldable gripping engagement to the bottle cap located therebetween. Theposition of the presser bar 82 and the force applied by the springs 83can be adjusted by the nuts 34.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the caps are deliveredfrom the distributing mechanism by the chute 3| to the gripping beltportions between the pulleys 54 and 58, each cap occupying an uprightposition and resting on the peripheral edge of its crimped skirt. Theposition of these caps while engaged by the belt portions is clearlyillustrated in Fig. 11 and it will be particularly noted that the capsare not only guided on their opposite sides, but also on the bottom edgeand are prevented from moving upwardly by the top plate I8. The contactof the skirt edge of each cap with the bedplate is very slight so thatthere is no possibility of this important part of the cap being damaged;further, it will be noted that the carriage of the cap by the feedingmechanism is in the nature of a definite body movement thereof, beingone of a motion of translation as distinguished from a motion ofrotation which might otherwise cause the caps to move along the bedplatewith a bumping action.

As indicated in Fig. 10, the top plate 18 terminates short of the backplate TI and the gap thus formed is closed by a guide plate 85 which isconnected by a hinge 86 to the top plate I8. An arcuate spring 37 hasits opposite ends attached to the top plate I8 and guide plate 85,respectively, and the purpose of the latter is to move any cap that maybe then occupying a higher position into one wherein the edge of theskirt rests on the bedplate M, so that so far as the position of the captransversely of the bedplate is concerned, it will be correctlypositioned to engage between a pair of the teeth of a star wheel 88forming part of a counting mechanism 89. The cap is prevented fromassuming a canted position with reference to the plane of the star wheelby means of annular rubber rings 90 and 9| which are mounted inappropriate recesses provided in the pulleys 68 and "I0, respectively,and so disposed that the working surfaces of these rings lie in the sameplanes as the working surfaces of the belts 60 and BI, that is withrespect to the caps gripped therebetween. The relation of these beltsand annular rings is clearly shown in Fig. 22.

The movement of each cap into engagement with the star wheel 88 effectsa rotation of the latter and therefore an actuation of the countingmechanism. which will now be described.

Referring to Figs. 12 and 16, inclusive, and more particularly to Fig.14, the star wheel 88 is fixedly mounted upon a shaft 32 that isjournaled in a bearing 93 carried by a casing 94 that encloses theprincipal elements of the counting mechanism. This casing is carried bya support 95 that is bolted to the bedplate 4| (see Fig. 12). In orderto avoid any inaccuracies in the counting of the caps such as might becaused by a tendency of the star wheel to overrun after being rotated byany particular cap, a suitable braking or retarding mechanism isemployed. To this end, the bearing 93 is provided with an enlarged hub96 adjacent the star wheel and threaded in the peripheral surface ofthis hub is a hollow sleeve 91 that is closed at its outer end by a plug98. Within the sleeve 91, one end of a coil spring 99 abuts against theplug 98 and the opposite end against a ball I00 which seats in one of aplurality of depressions IOI provided in the surface of the shaft 92,after each cap has passed the star wheel. These depressions are spacedaround the periphery of the shaft 92 and in such a location that amovement of the ball I00 from one depression to the next succeedingdepression corresponds to the counting of one cap.

The shaft 92 extends within the casing 94 and has mounted thereon a spurgear I02 which meshes with a spur gear I03 that is rotatably supportedon a stub shaft I04 that is also carried by the casing. Integrallyformed with the gear I03 is a spur gear I05 that meshes with aconsiderably larger spur gear I06 that is rotatably mounted upon a fixedaxle I01 that is supported in and extends across the width of the casing94 (see Fig. 14). A spur gear I08 is formed on the hub portion of thegear I06 and meshes with a spur gear I09 that is rotatably supported ona stud axle IID which is carried by a bracket III that is bolted to therear wall II2 of the casing 94 (see Fig. 16). The hub of the gear I09 isalso formed as a spur gear II3 which meshes with a spur gear II4 (seeFigs. 12 and 14) which is also freely rotatable on the axle I 01. Thewhole purpose of the gear train described above is to suitably modifythe movement imparted to the star wheel into a movement capable of beingindicated upon a suitably calibrated dial, as hereinafter described.

As noted in Fig. 14, the axle I0"! is supported at one end in the rearwall I I2 of the casing 94 and its opposite end extends through a frontplate I I6 that is attached to the open side of the casing 94 and whichcarries a dial I I I which, in the present instance, is calibrated sothat one complete rotation of the dial is equal to a counting of 100gross of caps (see Fig. 1), each division on the dial thereforemeasuring one gross.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 14, the hub II5 of the gear II4revolves on the axle I01 and also extends beyond the cover plate II 6.This hub is provided with a concentric surface I I8 and a taperingsurface II9 which terminates in a threaded portion I20 located on theend of the hub, Carried on the surface portions II 8 and H9 and inclosely fitting relation thereto are disks I2I, I22 and I23 which arearranged sideby-side and with their faces contacting, and these disksare made of some suitable insulating material, such as fiber and thelike. In order to hold these disks in the compact relation illustratedin Fig. 14, the exposed surface of the disk I2I is recessed to receive aplate I24 in which is threaded a pair of screws I25 that are located onopposite sides of the hub H5 (see Fig. 15). Within the disks I'll, I22and I23, the screws I25 pass through arcuate and elongated slots I26(see Fig. 17) in order to permit relative rotation and adjustment of thedisks as hereinafter explained, and these screws also pass through andhave their heads mounted in a cap I21 which encircles and closely fitsthe hub H5 and which is also provided with a tapering portion I28 thatis intended to wedgingly engage with the surface H9. In order to permitthe relative adjustment of the disks I22 and I23 for a purpose presentlyexplained, these disks are provided with arcuate and elongated slots I29and I30, respectively, (see Figs. 14 and 1'1) within which is mounted acap screw I3I that is threaded in the disk I22. By loosening this screw,it is obvious that the disks I22 and I23 may be shifted rotarily withrespect to each other.

A nut I32 is threaded on the part I20 of the hub H5 and presses the capI21 into wedging engagement with the hub II5, thus causing all threedisks to partake of the motion of rotation of the hub H5. A cap screwI33 mounted in the end of the axle I01 prevents movement of the nut I32toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 14. A pointer I34 is mounted on thecap I21 and oper ates across the face of the calibrated dial I I1.

Referring to Figs. 14 and 1'1, it will be noted that the peripheralsurface of the disk I2I is stepped in profile to provide peripheralsurfaces I35 and I36. The surface I35 is provided with a ratchet notchI31 defined by a shoulder I38 and a surface I39. Similarly, the disksurface I36 is provided with a ratchet notch I40 that is defined by ashoulder MI and a surface I42. Since the disk I2I rotates in a clockwisedirection, as viewed in. 1'7, the notch I31 is rotarily in advance ofthe notch I40 and this arrangement is utilized, in conjunction withcertain electrical devices presently described, to effect a veryimportant function in the operation of the machine. A pair of metallicspring arms I43 and I44 bear continually against the peripheral surfacesI35 and I36, respectively, and these arms are provided with theelectrical contacts I45 and I46, respectively, which engage for acertain period during the rotation of the disk I2I and remain disengagedfor the remaining period of rotation. The spring arms are carried by abracket I41 fastened to the interior of the casing 94 and they areconnected by means of a pair of electrical conductors I48 that passthrough a conduit I49 (see Fig. 1) with the winding of a solenoid I50that is secured to the underside of the bedplate M. A bell I96,generally representative of a warning signal of any type, is alsoincluded in the solenoid circuit, as indicated in Fig. 17.

The core I5I of the solenoid is connected by a link I52 with a wing I53(see Fig. 21) forming part of the dump bottom of a hopper I54 which isalso carried by the bedplate 4|, as by means of a flange I55 screwedthereto. The wing I53 is pivotally mounted upon one end of a brace barI56 that is secured. to and extends across one-side of the hopper I54and the wing is rigidly connected to a link I51 having within the marginthereof an elongated slot I58 within which operates a pin forming apivotal connection of the link I51 with a second link I59 that ispivoted on the opposite end of the bar I56 and rigidly connected to asecond wing I60 which cooperates with the wing I53 to form the dumpbottom of the hopper. The lower ends of the wings are provided withflexible aprons lfil, formed of rubber and the like, which provide ayielding contact between the lower edges of the wings when moved to aclosed position, thus preventing damage to any cap that might beinadvertently caught therebetvleen.

In Fig. 21, the bottom of the hopper I54 is shown in dumping position infull lines, while in Fig. 1, the dump bottom is shown in closed positionin full lines and in open position in dotted lines. The general purposeof this hopper arrangement and the electrical control therefor is toprovide an arrangement for temporarily collecting the caps withoutinterrupting the counting operation, while the filled receptacle isbeing removed and an empty one substituted. When the hopper has beenfilled with a predetermined number of caps, it is automatically dumpedunder the control of the counting mechanism to deposit its mass of capsinto the then empty receptacle.

Because the counted. caps are delivered loosely into the receptacle orcontainer, it is important in order to economize in the size of thesecontainers to shake the same at certain intervals while the container isbeing filled. The automatic control therefore, as governed by thecounting mechanism, is the function of the disks I22 and i723.

Referring then to Fig. 11, the disks I22 and I23 are provided on theirperipheral surfaces with cooperating pairs of ratchet notches I02-i63,l64-I65, I66I61, HEB-469, I10-I1I, I12-I13, and l"I4-I15, respectively,or, in other words, the even numbered notches are located on the diskI22, while the odd numbered notches are located on the disk I23, withthe notches on the former disk being disposed rotarily in advance of thenotches on the latter disk, as clearly indicated in Fig. 17.

The ends of a pair of spring arms I16 and I11 are located to wipe overthe peripheral surfaces of the disks I22 and I23, respectively,including the notches thereof, and these arms are composed of metal andare respectively provided with electrical contacts I18 and I19 which areperiodically engaged as the disks rotate. The arms I16 and I11 aresupportedin a bracket I85 which is secured to the casing wall and thearms are respectively connected by means of electrical conductors I9Iand I82 with a motor I83 that is supported upon a base I54 resting onthe floor, it being understood that the electrical connections betweenthe arms I16 and I11 and the motor I83, as well as between the arms I43and E44 and the solenoid I56 and bell I96, also include a source ofelectrical power (not shown).

The purpose of the motor N33 is to agitate or shake the receptacle intowhich the caps are loosely discharged by the counting mechanism in orderto more closely pack the caps and therefore economize in the size of thecontainers. To this end, the motor shaft I85 has fixed to one endthereof an eccentric I86 that drives a connecting rod I81 that issecured to one end of. a receptacle support plate 188 that isintermediately supported on a narrow fin I89 and therefore rockablethereon. Resting on the plate I88 is a cap receptacle I90 and in orderto hold this receptacle in osition during the shaking movement, a pairof stop pins ISI extend upwardly from the face of th plate 588 and at aconvenient distance therefrom and properly located with respect theretois a pivoted, arcuate presser plate l92 (see l and 2) which is adaptedto be engaged by a roller I93 carried in one end of a link 59 5 that ispivoted on a bracket 195 attached to the support plate 58S. A lever IE6is secured to the link ill-l so that when swung to the positionillustrated in Fig. l and assuming the receptacle 5% in position, thelatter will be moved against the pins ill by the plate 592 and thereforelocked in position.

The operation of my improved machine will now be described.

Before the caps are delivered to the conveyor ES, they may, for example,have had cork seals applied to the interiors thereof and are thenindiscriminately dumped on the smooth and polished surface cf the domewall 58 of the distributor i? by the conveyor Hi. At this time, the capsare ordinarily in a rather warm condition and after falling on the domewall I8, they slide into the annular space defined by the drum anddistributor walls M and I il, respectively, (see Fig. 4). In thisposition the caps are supported in an upright position with their skirtedges resting on the toothed flange 20, with some caps facing in onedirection and other caps in an opposite direction owing to the fact thatthe caps are indiscriminately dropped onto the flange Because of theopen construction of this flange, any foreign particles, such as dirt,pieces of cork or metal, etc., are evacuated through the openingsbetween the teeth and these openings also serve an additional purpose inpossibly cooling to some extent the hot caps. The distributor ll rotatesat constant speed and carries the caps bodily to the delivery slot 3%where the caps are successively directed by the guide plate 32 into thedelivery chute 3i. As already noted and because of the provision of theguard plate 34, only those caps will be directed into the delivery chutewhich are actually resting on the flange 26. The operation of thedistributor therefore arranges the caps in an orderly succession of theindividual caps and there is no possibility of more than one cap beingpresented to the delivery opening of the drum at the same time, or ofany clogging or the caps. If the distributor is completely or partiallyfilled with caps, those caps which are not resting directly on theflange 25 will be carried around the drum over the submerged caps andover the guard plate until they drop by gravity into vacant places onthe flange created by the discharge of caps into the delivery chute.

The width of the delivery chute ..I is such as to maintain the uprightposition of each cap which is therefore presented in this positionbetween the cooperating belt portions 52 and I3 as they pass around thepulleys 54 and 58.

Each cap is therefore gripped immediately as it passes from the deliveryend of the chute 3| and this grip is maintained throughout the movementof any particular cap until it reaches the star wheel 88. During thetransfer of the caps by the feeding mechanism, they are yieldablygripped by means of the back plate ll and the presser bar 32, but insuch a manner that the caps cannot be damaged and it will beparticularly noted by reference to Fig. 11 that the upright position ofthe caps is maintained and that they are delivered in a straight line tothe star wheel 88 (see Fig. 10). During this transfer, the

uniformity of the feed to the star wheel is not affected by theindiscriminate facing of the caps in opposite directions.

It is contemplated that in the packaging of some types of caps, such ascertain forms of screw caps, the caps may be fed directly to the feedingmechanism for carriage to the counting mechanism, thus eliminating thedistributor. Moreover, the feeding mechanism may be arranged so that thecaps will be moved in horizontal or any other position to the starwheel, it being understood that the star wheel and the distributor, ifused, would be relocated and rearranged to accommodate and effect thedifferent feed position.

Just before reaching the star wheel, each cap is further subjected tothe downwardly acting pressure of the plate 85 in order to insure thatit will correctly engage between a pair ofv teeth of the star wheel andany tendency of any particular cap to assume a canted position isprevented by means of the cooperation of the belt portions 72 and ISwith the rings 90 and 9|, respectively, on the pulleys 68 and "it.Accordingly, each cap is presented to the star wheel in substantiallythe same plane as this wheel. The movement of each cap past the starwheel 88, as caused by the movement of the belts 60 and 6!, actuates thecounting mechanism and the rotary movement of the star wheel 88 is sorelated and proportioned to the members of the gear train in the casing9 5 that the passage of 144 caps past the star wheel will move thepointer I34 across one division on the dial IIl, thus indicating thecounting of one gross of. caps. Of course, it will be understood thatthe counting mechanism may be calibrated in other units. Any tendency ofthe star wheel 88 to overrun, after being actuated by each cap iseffectively prevented by the seating of the ball I00 successively in thedepressions I!!! (see Fig. 14).

In considering the action of the counting mechanism with respect to itscontrol of the solenoid I and the shaking motor I83, it will be assumedthat the positions of the disks I21, I22 and I23 are as illustrated inFig. 17. At this time, the contacts I18 and I19 are separated that themotor I83 is at rest, while the con-- tacts I45 and I 46 are inengagement, because the end of the arm I43 has just dropped into thenotch I 31 while the arm I44 is still riding on the circumference of thedisk surface I36. The circuit through the solenoid I59 will therefore beclosed so that the wings I53 and I (see Figs. 1 and 2) will be swung toclose the bottom of the hopper 256-, as shown in full lines in Fig. l,and the bell I96 will commence ringing, thus warning the operator tochange receptacles. However, the caps continue to be discharged by theend of the feeding mechanism and are collected by the hopper I54 andthis operation continues during the interval of replacing the previouslyfilled receptacle I90 with an empty container.

The disks continue to rotate until the end of the spring arm I44 dropsinto the notch Ms, thus separating the contacts I45 and I46 and breakingthe solenoid circuit. The wings I53 and I then drop of their own weightto the position illustrated in Fig. 21, whereupon the caps then hold bythe hopper are dumped into the receptacle I90. Thereafter the ends ofthe arms I43 and I44 simply bear on the circumferences of the disksurfaces I35 and I36 and the contacts I45 and i remain disengaged. Inthe particular machine disclosed in the drawings, the interval durgrossof caps, or a movement of the pointer over two subdivisions of the dial.

During the foregoing action, the ends of the arms I16 and I11 have movedalong the flat surfaces of the notches I62 and I63, respectively, (seeFig. 17) and subsequently wipe over the curved portions of the disks I22and I23 between the notches just noted and the notches F64 and I65.During this movement, the contacts I18 and I19 remain separated and thecaps are being continually discharged into the receptacle I96.

Eventually, the disks rotate sufliciently to cause the end of the armI16 to drop into the notch I64, thus causing the contacts I18 and I19 toengage and thereby completing the electrical circuit through the shakingmotor I83 which thereupon rocks the plate I88 and agitates the caps thenin the receptacle I90 sufficiently to more closely pack the same. Thecontacts I18 and I19 remain in engagement until the end of the arm I11drops into the notch I65, whereupon the contacts are disengaged and themotor I83 stops. The interval between the positions of the disks I22 andI23, as illustrated in Fig. 17, and when the arm I16 drops into thenotch I64 corresponds roughly to the counting of 30 gross, for thearrangement of the machine as shown.

The action of the arms I16 and I11 with respect to the notches I64 andI65, respectively, is repeated successively for the remainingcooperating pairs of notches on the indicated disks, it being understoodthat the contacts I18 and IE9 engage when the end of the arm I16 fallsinto one of the notches on the disk I22 and remains in engagement untilthe end of the arm I11 falls into one of the notches on the disk I23,and further that these contacts remain out of engagement at all othertimes.

The interval between the notches I64 and I66 corresponds roughly to thecounting of 20 gross of caps; that between the notches I66 and I68 to 15gross; that between the notches I68 and I10 to F 10 gross; that betweenthe notches I10 and I12 to 10 gross; that between the notches I12 andI14 to 10 gross; while that between the notches I14 and I62 correspondsto 5 gross.

Accordingly, it will be understood that, as the receptacle is graduallyfilled, the periods between the shaking movements of the receptacle I90are decreased because of the gradually accumulating mass of caps in thereceptacle.

When the disks have again returned to the relative positions shown inFig. 17, the counting mechanism will have counted gross of caps and thecontacts I45 and I46 will thereupon engage to close the bottom of thehopper I54 and operate the bell I96, thus permitting the removal of thefilled container.

At certain times, it may be desirable to vary the time of the shaking,either increasing or decreasing this period, and this result can bereadily ac complished by rotarily shifting the disks I22 and I23 withrespect to each other. This adjustment, dependent upon the direction inwhich the disks are moved with respect to each other, results inlengthening or shortening the time during which the contacts I18 and I19remain in engagement.

The machine is entirely automatic in operation and continues to arrangeand count caps as long as they are supplied to the distributingmechanism and automatically interrupts the flow of caps to thereceptacle .at determined times, dependent upon the capacity of thereceptacle and the number .of caps which it is desired the receptacle tohold. The distributing mechanism handles the caps in such a manner thatthey are not marred or damaged in the slightest degree and they are fedgently to the delivery chute in a position for precise gripping by thefeeding mechanism and for subsequent presentation to the countingmechanism in such a manner that no strain is applied to the caps or tothe star wheel.

The precise calibration of the counting mechanism is not important, asthe same may be arranged to take care of units comprising any number ofarticles by appropriately proportioning the parts of the gear train andsuitably arranging the controlling disks with respect to each other. Innormal operation, the machine as disclosed will arrange, feed and countcaps at the rate of 600 caps per minute, approximately, which ismarkedly in excess of the customary 300 caps per minute as handled bycomparable existing machines. The handling rate of the machine can. beincreased several times by using a relatively larger distributor.

I claim:

1. In a counting mechanism, the combination of a counter, a hopperhaving a dump bottom through which the counted articles pass fordeposition in a receptacle, and means controlled by the counter forclosing the bottom to interrupt the flow of articles when apredetermined number thereof has been deposited in the receptacle.

2. In a counting mechanism, the combination of a counter, a hopperhaving a dump bottom through which the counted articles pass fordeposition in a receptacle, and means controlled by the counter forclosing the bottom to interrupt the flow of articles when apredetermined number thereof has been deposited in the receptacle andfor opening the bottom when a predetermined number of articles has beendeposited in the hopper.

3. In a counting mechanism, the combination of a counter, hopper meansmovable into the path of the counted articles to interrupt the flowthereof when a predetermined number of articles has been deposited in areceptacle, and means for dumping the hopper when a predetermined numberof articles has been deposited in the hopper means.

4. In a counting mechanism, the combination of a counter, hopper meansmovable into the path of the counted articles to interrupt the flowthereof when a predetermined number of articles has been deposited in areceptacle, means for dumping the hopper means when a predeterminednumber of articles has been deposited in the hopper means, and a devicecontrolled by the counter for actuating the hopper means.

- 5. In a counting mechanism, the combination of a counter, hopper meansmovable into the path 0f the counted articles to interrupt the flowthereof when a predetermined number of articles has been deposited in areceptacle, means for dumping the hopper means when a predeterminednumber of articles has been deposited therein, a device controlled bythe counter for actuating the hopper means, and means controlled by thecounter for shaking the receptacle at predetermined times to moreclosely pack the articles, said device and last named means operating intimed relation.

6. In a counting mechanism, the combination of a counter comprising apair of insulated disks adapted to rotate together and a device actuableby the articles to be counted for rotating the disks, a pair ofelectrical contacts, means on the disks adapted to cause the contacts toengage at predetermined times during the rotation of the disks and tomaintain them separated at all other times, and electrically controlledmeans operable when the contacts are engaged to shake a receptacle forthe articles to more closely pack the articles.

'7. In a counting mechanism, the combination of a counter comprising apair of insulated disks adapted to rotate together, each disk having camdepressions disposed around the periphery thereof in predeterminedlocations, each depression on one disk being cooperatively related to adepression on the other disk, a device actuable by the articles to becounted for rotating the disks, a pair of electrical contacts bearing onthe disk peripheries, respectively, and adapted to engage when onecontact moves into a depression on one disk and to separate when theother contact moves into the cooperating depression on the other diskand to be separated at all other times, and electrically controlledmeans operable when the contacts engage for shaking a receptacle for thearticles to more closely pack the articles.

8. In a counting mechanism, the combination of a counter comprising apair of insulated disks adapted to rotate together and each disk havingcam depressions disposed around the periphery thereof in predeterminedlocations, each depression on one disk being cooperatively related to adepression on the other disk, a dance actuable by the articles to becounted for rotating the disk, a pair of electrical contacts hearing onthe disk peripheries, respectively, and adapted to engage when onecontact moves into a depression on one disk and to separate when theother contact moves into the cooperating depression on the other diskand to be separated at all other times, and electrically controlledmeans operable when the contacts engage for shaking a receptacle for thearticles to more closely pack the articles, and means whereby one diskcan be rotarily shifted relative to the other disk to vary the intervalof shake.

9. In a counting mechanism, the combination of a counter comprising apair of insulated disks adapted to rotate together and each disk havingratchet shaped notches disposed around the periphery thereof inpredetermined locations, each notch on one disk being cooperativelyrelated to a notch on the other disk, a device actuable by the articlesto be counted for rotating the disks, a pair of electrical contactsbearing on the disk peripheries, respectively, and adapted to engagewhen one contact moves into a notch on one disk and to separate when theother contact moves into the cooperating notch on the other disk and tobe separated at all other times, electrically controlled means operablewhen the contacts engage for shaking a receptacle for the articles tomore closely pack the articles and means for rotarily shifting one diskrelative to the other to thereby change the relation of the flatsurfaces of the cooperating notch pairs and vary the interval of shake.

10. In a counting mechanism, the combination of a counter comprising aninsulated disk having a pair of peripheral surfaces located at differentradial distances from the center thereof and a device actuable by thearticles to be counted for rotating the disk, a pair of electricalcontacts bearing on the peripheral surfaces, respectively, means on thsurfaces adapted to cause the contacts to engage at predetermined timesduring the rotation of the disk and to maintain them separated at allother times, hopper means movable into the path of the counted articlesto interrupt the how thereof when a predetermined number has beendeposited in a receptacle, means for dumping the hopper means when apredetermined number of articles has been deposited therein, and adevice electrically controlled by the engagement of the contacts foractuating the hopper means.

11. In a counting mechanism, the combination of a counter comprising aninsulated disk having a pair of peripheral surfaces located at diiferentradial distances from the center thereof, a pair of insulated disks, allof said disks being adapted to rotate together, and a device actuable bythe articles to be counted for rotating the disks, a pair of electricalcontacts, a second pair of electrical contacts, means on the disksadapted to cause the pairs of contacts, respectively, to engage atpredetermined times during the rotation of the disks and to maintainthem separated at all other times respectively, electrically controlledmeans operable when said first pair of contacts engage for shaking areceptacle for the articles to more closely pack the articles, hoppermeans movable into the path of the counted articles to interrupt theflow thereof when a predetermined number of articles has been depositedin the receptacle, means for dumping the hopper means when apredetermined number of articles has been deposited therein, andelectrically controlled means for actuating the hopper means when saidsecond pair of contacts engage.

12. In a counting mechanism, the combination of a counter, a hopperhaving flow control means, and means controlled by the counter formoving the hopper means to interrupt the flow of articles to areceptacle for accumulation in the hopper when a predetermined numberthereof has been deposited in the receptacle.

13. In a counting mechanism, the combination of a counter, a hopperhaving means adapted for movement to interrupt the flow of the countedarticles to a receptacle, means controlled by the 7 counter for movingthe hopper means to inter-' rupting position when a predetermined numberof articles has been deposited in the receptacle for accumulatingarticles in the hopper, and a warning signal operably controlled by thecounter When the hopper means is moved to interrupting position,

14. In a counting mechanism, the combination of a counter, a hopperhaving means adapted for movement to interrupt the flow of the countedarticles to a receptacle and for movement away from interruptingposition, means controlled by the counter for moving the hopper means tointerrupting position when a predetermined number of articles has beendeposited in the receptacle for accumulating articles in the hopper andfor subsequently dumping the hopper when a predetermined number ofarticles has been deposited in the hopper means, and a warning signaloperably controlled by the counter during the time the hopper means isin interrupting position.

FRED E. DOMKE.

